2 minute read
Greg Fonzeno
How to Avoid Boating Collisions, Part 2
BY GREG FONZENO
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Last month, I addressed the actions boaters should take when crossing each other’s path. You will recall the give-way boat takes action to prevent a collision, and the stand-on boat maintains course and speed. But, if it’s obvious the give-way boat is not taking action, the stand-on boat must act to avoid a crash.
This month, let’s look at what should be done when two boats meet head-on, and when one boat wants to pass another.
First, the head-on situation. You and your family are in your power boat, cruising through a narrow passageway, and you see another power boat coming directly at you. In this case, both boats are give-way boats and must take “early and substantial” action to avoid a collision. But what action should be taken? The preference is for both boats to turn to their right (starboard). Also, they should have been cruising as far to their right side of the channel as was safe and practical, which often will prevent a collision situation.
What if there are rocks on your right side? You could turn to your left, but then the other boat would have to turn to its left and would be heading for the rocks. There is “doubt and danger” involved in this situation, no matter what each boat does. Five short blasts of your whistle (horn) will warn the other boat of danger. Probably the best course of action is for both boats to slow to idle speed and pass close to each other, well out of danger from the rocks. This is one of many common-sense decisions boaters must make.
So, how do you pass another boat in a narrow channel? Since your boat is doing the passing — the overtaking boat — you always are the give-way vessel. It is up to you to make a safe pass. You select the side that seems safer, turn in that direction and slowly, with as much clearance as possible, make the pass. Remember, you are responsible for your wake, so don’t rock and roll the other boat.
The vessel being passed — the overtaken boat — is the standon boat, but if you are being overtaken, be courteous and slow down to make the passing smoother and quicker.
To learn more, attend a boating-safety class with the whole family. To find the schedule of classes in Acworth, visit http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=070-0202&category=boating-courses or email flotilla22pe@gmail.com.
Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake.
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